Nathan really wanted to go to the Denver Bronco's training camp to see them practice and maybe get an autograph or two. It is a 45 minute drive from where we are staying, so we decided to just be there for the last 45 minutes to an hour of practice, knowing that they do autographs after the practice. All the boys piled into the car, while Tim and Nicole stayed home (Tim because he's still not 100 percent and Nicole because she wasn't interested) and we took off. We got stuck in a little traffic and got there about 30 minutes before practice was over, and by the time we took the walk through a dirt road and around the field to where they let you in, there was about 20 minutes left, but just as we walked up and found a spot to view the practice from they blew the whistle and called all the guys in and announced practice was over! I guess they decided to end it a little early today. But to add insult to injury, they weren't doing autographs today. Are you kidding? Argh! So Nathan is already lobbying for us to drive up from Colorado Springs on Saturday for the Bronco's practice on that day - we'll see. We drove back to our camper, had lunch, and then a couple of ladies who were in the Master's Program with Tim came over. The boys walked over to the park next door and did some fishing and some more baseball while Nicole read in our back bedroom and the 4 of us adults sat in our 'dining/living room' chatting. It was great re-connecting with them and hearing about their lives, both ups and downs, over the past 10 years or so. They are really precious, and we felt very privileged that they took that time to come and spend it with us!Shortly after they left, the 6 of us packed in the car and drove to meet a family (the Loeckens) we had come to admire from afar and were so happy to finally meet in person. They and their 4 children sold their house about 4 years ago and went on the road full time, not sure exactly why God was calling them to do that, so we felt an immediate kinship with them right off the bat. They ended up starting a ministry called Passion To Action, and God has led them to finally settle down only within the past month or so just a couple of miles from where we are staying. We met them at their place, hung out for a little bit, and then hopped in our cars and followed them to a fast food chinese restaurant. It was so fun getting to know them and hear their hearts over dinner. They desire so much to 'inspire, empower and mobilize people to put their faith in action' as their website says. They are totally living by faith, so if you are inclined to partner with them, their website is passiontoaction.org. Even if you just check out their website and pray for them, I know it would mean a lot to them! Tomorrow we're planning on heading up to Mt. Evans. We forgot to take pictures of pretty much everything we did today except as we were parting ways with the Loeckens, so that's all I've got for today. I'll try to do better tomorrow. :-) Enjoy!

Tim and Jodie, Thank you for spending some of your day with me yesterday. I know your time is precious, especially while you're in Denver, and it was truly refreshing for me to spend time with you both.
Tim, thank you for sharing some of your journey. Most surely, I appreciated your courage in making yourself vulnerable to someone you haven't heard from in many years. Because of what you were willing to share, I grew even more in my respect for you. But, I also gained a deeper respect for myself in my similar struggle, my similar call to a more humble place in which to live. Listening to you, I was able to find a better perspective, a more Godly perspective perhaps, and I caught hold of your courage. I'm borrowing it for a little while. I hope you don't mind.
Given a choice between the manner in which we impact another, will we choose to leave the other with a greater respect for ourselves or a greater respect for who they are as a child of God? Perhaps it's presumptuous of me, but I think I can guess which choice you and Jodie would make..... well, because you're making it. Just thought you'd like to know it's working.

Tim & Jodie

Tim and Jodie have been married since Nov. 5, 1988. Tim is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and retired city of Tampa Firefighter. Jodie is a happily laid off IBM/AT&T 21 yr veteran employee turned stay-at-home home-schooling mom (say that fast three times!). She works very part-time for a local Christian author and speaker. They have four wonderful children: triplets Nathan, Nicole, and Noah born 11/16/97 and Nicholas born 5/16/99.